08/28/02 E-newsletter sponsored by

The race is on
The race for the Open World Championship is shaping up into one of the closest in years, with only $327 separating David Behnen's leader, Quixote Mac, ridden by Don Pooley, from Lee Garner's Harriott Playgirl, ridden by Allen Crouch. The closest year-end margin in history came in 1965 when Patty Conger edged out Vegas Boy by $13.20.

In the Non-Pro race, Joey Milner is maintaining a lead of less than $500 over Lee Garner. If Milner emerges on top at year's end, he'll be the first child of a Non-Pro World Champion to win the title. In fact, his parents have five Non-Pro World Championships between them: Mary Jo Milner in 1981, 1986, 2000 and 2001, and Jim Milner in 1974.

NCHA Futurity schedule posted
The tentative schedule for the 2002 NCHA World Championship Futurity has been released. The show starts Wednesday, November 27 and wraps up on Sunday, December 15.

Looking ahead
It's not too early to start thinking about the 2003 NCHA Futurity. The first payment of $100 is due on October 15, 2002.

Summer Cutting Spectacular telecast
The 2002 NCHA Summer Cutting Spectacular, presented by Emison Insurance underwritten by the Insurance Corporation of Hannover, will be televised on the Outdoor Life Network at 7 pm ET (11 pm PT) on September 22.

West Nile Virus spreads west
The West Nile Virus, which affects humans and horses, has continued its rapid westward spread across the United States. The internet has a wealth of information about the progress of the disease, how it affects horses, and precautions you can take against it.

NWCHA Ranch Festival under way
The Northwest CHA Ranch Festival started last weekend in Fort Klamath, Oregon, and it continues through Labor Day. Amateur champions have already been crowned. They are Jim Milne of Woodside, California, in the four-year-old division with Ill Be Smart N Playful; and Chip Hanly of Minden, Nevada, in the five/six-year-old division with Bar Rum Squall.

At the conclusion of that show, many cutters will head to Nampa, Idaho, for the ICHA Futurity & Aged Event.

Aged event activity
September will also see aged events in Amarillo, Texas; Platte, South Dakota; West Monroe, Louisiana; Salina, Kansas; Vernon, British Columbia; Raleigh, North Carolina; Paso Robles, California; Redmond, Oregon; Weatherford, Texas; Gillette, Wyoming; and Gonzales, Louisiana.

As always, you can keep up-to-date with upcoming aged events on the NCHA website.

Voting now open for Silver Spur Award
Docacoo, a cutting horse owned by Skip and Sarah Gentry of West Salem, Ohio, is one of five finalists for the MD Barns Silver Spur Award. American Quarter Horse Association members who have a PIN number can now log on to cast a vote for their favorite candidate.

The winner and first and second runners-up, as decided by AQHA's membership, will be announced at the 2002 AQHA World Championship Show, November 22, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

The MD Barns Silver Spur Award honors those American Quarter Horses that have made a significant impact in the lives of others or who have been cast into the public spotlight through prominent accomplishments to help create a favorable public perception of the breed. Those nominated must be a registered American Quarter Horse and must have enriched the life of a human being(s) through outstanding training, contribution or accomplishment.

Docacoo was featured one year ago in the E-Chatter and the Cutting Horse Chatter magazine.

Have you had a moving experience?
If so, please help NCHA update your address and phone number for the 2002 NCHA Yearbook. The Yearbook and Membership Directory will be published in September and mailed to all members of the National Cutting Horse Association. If you've moved, changed your phone number, or if your area code has been changed and you haven't notified NCHA, your listing in the Directory will be incorrect. The deadline for updating your listing is September 1.

Contact Julie Davis at (817) 244-6188 ext 129 today if you need to update your listing.

Advertising deadlines
Because of the Labor Day Holiday, the deadline for advertising in the October issue of the Chatter is Tuesday, September 3. The deadline for the 2003 Travel Planner is September 20. The deadline for the 2002 NCHA Futurity Program is October 10. Call Shawn McCoy at (817) 244-6188 or (817) 980-4754 for more information.

Bag it!
Tioga Territory offers sturdy, embroidered gear bags to help you tote the things you really need to the show. These are 20" x 11 3/4" x 11 1/2" with a detachable shoulder strap, metal hardware and an ID tag.